PM to launch Ujjwala-2 scheme from UP

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the second edition of the government’s free LPG connection scheme called Ujjwala.

About:
The second edition of the scheme would be launched from poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on August 10.

• First version of the scheme was launched in 2016 from Uttar Pradesh ahead of 2017 Assembly elections.
• Launch of Ujjwala-2 scheme will be marked by handing over of one crore additional LPG connection by Prime Minister through video conferencing at Mahoba district in Uttar Pradesh.

How Ujjwala-2 is different than Ujjwala-1?

Ujjwala-2 is the updated version of Ujjwala-1 that provided free LPG connections to 8 crore women beneficiaries. Apart from a deposit-free LPG connection, Ujjwala-2 will provide the first refill and a hotplate free of cost to beneficiaries. Further, the enrolment procedure under second edition of the scheme has been eased. Minimum paperwork will be required for enrolment.

About Ujjwala-2 scheme

Under the Ujjawala-2 scheme, migrants will not be required to submit ration cards or address proof to get the LPG cylinders. A self-declaration would be used as “family declaration” and as “proof of address.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

PMUY scheme was launched in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The scheme was originally launched to distribute 50 million LPG connections to women below poverty line. Later it was expanded to provide LPG connections to eight crore women by March 2020. This target of providing LPG connections to eight crore women was achieved in September 2019, seven months prior to the target date. Recently in Union Budget 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced to extend the benefits under the scheme to additional one crore beneficiaries.